Hollywood Temple Celebrates Hanukkah With Rededication And Tribute To Contributors

CELEBRATIONS - EXPANSIONS

January 5, 1996|EILEEN SOLER, and Special to the Sun-Sentinel

The second night of Hanukkah at Temple Solel in Hollywood was celebrated with tradition in mind and a little something new - a second dedication.

"In the old days, the temples were rededicated every year. It is the tradition of the story of Hanukkah," Jeff Golodkin, executive vice president of the temple board, said.

But this year's rededication, attended by more than 300 congregants of the 25-year-old temple at 5100 Sheridan St., was extra special because of the unveiling of the "Walk of Honor," an engraved brick sidewalk outside the synagogue's front entrance. When completed, the walkway will encircle the synagogue.

According to Jane Lessin, another temple board member, the bricks, bought and donated by members of the synagogue as part of a fund-raising effort for maintenance and operation, are engraved with the names of loved ones living or deceased or of people who have made special contributions to the temple.

"The bricks are perpetuating those people whose names are engraved on the bricks. Their memories will live on forever," she said.

Rabbi Robert Frazin, who founded the temple, said the dedication of the walk was perfectly timed for the Hanukkah holiday.

"Hanukkah is a wonderful time of rededication not just for the temple but for families and families of the temple and it is so beautiful to walk on the "walk of honor" because we see the congregation's dedication to themselves, their families and Judaism," Razin said.

The unveiling was followed by traditional songs by Cantor Israel Rosen, dinner, dancing and special holiday games for the children.

"Purim and Yom Kippur are seriously religious holy days but Hanukkah is a celebration and it's time to dance. In Israel, people are dancing in the street. Tonight we have two reasons to rejoice - Hanukkah and the `Walk of Honor,'" said congregant Lisa Bernstein.